receptor

noun

re·​cep·​tor ri-ˈsep-tər 

: receiver: such as

a

: a cell or group of cells that receives stimuli : sense organ

b

: a chemical group or molecule (such as a protein) on the cell surface or in the cell interior that has an affinity for a specific chemical group, molecule, or virus

Examples of receptor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Beta blockers, or beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists, are a class of drugs that lower blood pressure and heart rate. —Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 21 Jan. 2026

This kind of charging allows buses to park under the charger, which then lowers and connects to the vehicle's roof receptors. —Steve Banker, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026

Ozempic is a type of GLP-1 medication (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) that regulates appetite and increases feelings of fullness. —Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026

The doctor confirmed that the new drug, with its third receptor agonist, will further decrease hunger while increasing the feeling of fullness. —Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing receptor

• alpha-receptor
• beta-receptor
• selective estrogen receptor modulator
• stretch receptor
• T cell receptor

Rhymes for receptor

• acceptor
• preceptor
• adrenoceptor
• photoreceptor
• baroreceptor
• chemoreceptor
• interceptor
• scepter
• sceptre

Kids Definition

receptor

noun

re·​cep·​tor ri-ˈsep-tər 

1

: a cell or group of cells that receives stimuli : sense organ

2

: a molecule (as protein) on the surface or in the inside of a cell that recognizes and joins to specific molecules causing a certain activity within the cell to begin

Medical Definition

receptor

noun

re·​cep·​tor ri-ˈsep-tər 

1

: a cell or group of cells that receives stimuli : sense organ

2

: a chemical group or molecule (as a protein) on the cell surface or in the cell interior that has an affinity for a specific chemical group, molecule, or virus

3

: a cellular entity (as a beta-receptor or alpha-receptor) that is a postulated intermediary between a chemical agent (as a neurohormone) acting on nervous tissue and the physiological or pharmacological response